Dictionary

namby-pambical en · ADJ

Etymology

From namby-pamby + -ical.

Meanings

1. (rare) Like or resembling a namby-pamby; lacking vigor or decisiveness, wishy-washy.
   • “Of course, – I am being far too nice, aye and no doubt namby-pambical as well, – ha ha, ha, – after all, what’s being confin’d upon the Summit of a living Volcanoe whose History includes violent Explosion, hey? […]” 1997, Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon, →ISBN:
2. (archaic, uncommon) Having a namby-pamby character; insipid, sentimental, or weak.
   • The 4th stanza is rather namby-pambical; the sentiment is much better expressed in the 5th. 1848, “The New Hymn Book”, in The Quarterly Review of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, volume II, page 104:
   • Pray tell R. Sheen, I am hugely displeased at his reprinting the Nativity Hymns, and omitting the very best hymn in the collection—All glory to God in the sky, &c. I beg they may never more be printed without it. Omit one or two and I will thank you. They are namby-pambical. I wish you would give us two or three invitatory hymns. 1831, John Wesley, edited by John Emory, The Works of the Reverend John Wesley, A. M., Letter to Charles Wesley, December 26, 1761, →OCLC, page 663:

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